Toy rocking-horse



Patented Jan. 24, |899.

F. WILFEHT.

TOY BOOKING HORSE.

(Application led Feb. 23. 1898.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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ilNiTnn STaTns lia/TENT FRANK IVIIJFERT, OF LEOMINSTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

TOY ROCKlNG-HORSE.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent NO. 618,155, dated January24, 1899.

Application tiled February 23, 1898. Serial No. 671,361. (No model.)

To all whom it' may concern:

Beit known that I, FRANK WILFERT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Leominster, in the county of IVorcester and State ofMassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ToyRocking- IIorses, of which the following is a full and completespecification, such as will enable those skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates tol a toy rockinghorse in which the rockingmotion of the horse is utilized to propel the frame upon which the horseis mounted; and the object is to provide a rocking-horse of thischaracter which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture,and in which the rocking motion of the horse is utilized in an eifectivemanner to propel the device.

The invention consists of a self-propelling rocking-horse constructed ashereinafter described, and dened in theclaim.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, ofwhich the accompanying drawings form a part, in which the separate partsof my improvement are designated by the saine letters of reference ineach of the views, and in which- Figure l is an elevation of theimproved rocking-horse constructed in accordance with this invention.Fig. 2 is a side view thereof, partly in section; and Fig. 3 is a topview.

In the drawings, A is a vertically-oscillatin g frame, upon which a toyhorse is suitably mounted, and is constructed, preferably, of wood andis preferably rectangular in form. This frame is pivotally mounted upona base B by means of hinge connections or in any other well-knownmanner. The forward end of the frame A is provided with adownwardlyextending flange a, in the front face of which is formed avertical groove a. Aratchetplate d2, having downwardly-inclinedratchetteeth CLS, is supported within said groove by means of pins at,loosely sleeved through suitable openings d5 in the ilange a. Helicalsprings o are coiled about the pins of* and bear at one end against theratchet-plate d2 and at the other end against the flange a, which servesto press the ratchet-plate forward into its operative position. Suitablemeans, such as transverse pins, are provided in the ends of the pins o*to prevent the accidental displacement of the ratchet-plate a2.

A suitable spring is arranged upon the base B and bears upon the underside of the frame A to return the front end of the said frame to itsnormal position, as shown in Fig. 1, and serves to impart theoscillating or rocking motion to the frame. The base B is alsopreferably made of wood and is rectangular in shape. The rear end of thebase B is provided with a suitable truck b, the kingpin of which extendsup through said base and is provided upon its upper end with a guide-barb', which is adapted to receive the ends of a guide or steering rope.(Not shown.)

The forward portion of the base B is provided with a suitable opening,in which are secured parallel lugs b2, which serve as bearings for thetwo shafts C C', which are arranged parallel to each other and indifferent horizontal planes.

The shaft C is provided with a iixed wheel or roller O2, which issuitably roughened upon its periphery and which is adapted to bear uponthe floor or ground. A pinion C3 is iixed upon the shaft O adjacent tothe wheel C2 and in mesh with a gear-wheel C4, xed upon the shaft C. Aratchet-wheel C5 is also fixed to y the shaft C and is provided withupwardlyinclined ratchet-teeth which are adapted to engage the teeth ofthe ratchet-plate a2.

It is obvious that many changes in the details of construction andarrangement may be made without departing from the scope of myinvention.

The w`eight and motion of the rider and the force of the springs impartthe rocking motion to the frame A. In its downward movement the teeth ofthe ratchet-plate engage the teeth of the ratchet-wheel C5 and cause theshaft C to revolve, and with it the gear C4, which in turn imparts arotary motion to the pinion O3, causing the rotation of the wheel orroller C2 upon the. licor or ground, thereby propelling the apparatus ina forward direction. The direction of travel is controlled by thesteering-rope, as is obvious. The springs bearing upon the ratchet-plateprovide for a slight yielding of the-same and prevent any undue bindingof the parts. The apparatus IOO is capable of rapid travel, whichmaterially increases the pleasure derived by children from the use ofsuch toys.

Ilavin g fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent-- The combination with a base plate or board Bprovided with a truck h beneath the rear end thereof, and an opening atthe front end, of vertical lugs or standards secured to the base plateor board at each side of said opening, two parallel shafts journaled insaid standards, and arranged in different horizontal planes, a wheelfixed upon the lower shaft, and extending downwardly through saidopening, a pinion also xed upon saidshaft, a gear-Wheel fixed upon theupper shaft, and in mesh with said pinion, a ratchet-wheel also iixed onsaid upper shaft, and a verticallyoscillating plate or support hinged atits rear end to the base plate or board, a spring arranged between thefront end of the frame or support and the base plate or board, and aspring-pressed ratchet-plate arranged in the

